Music review: Bruce Springsteen — ‘High Hopes’
After delivering the smashing 无毛视频淲recking Ball,无毛视频� Bruce Springsteen is now offering 无毛视频淗igh Hopes.无毛视频�
While 无毛视频淲recking Ball无毛视频� served as a symbol of America无毛视频檚 damaged economy and the millions of Americans struggling to find healing from the emotional and financial scars, Springsteen returns to paint yet another vivid portrait of today无毛视频檚 fragile social climate.
His 18th studio album features an unexpected collection of songs consisting of covers, outtakes and remakes. Joined by the E Street Band, Springsteen also teams up with guitarist Tom Morello (Audioslave and Rage Against the Machine) to assemble a flawless cast to breathe new life into the compelling combination of tracks.
The new album also contains posthumous appearances by saxophonist Clarence Clemons and keyboardist Danny Federici. First recorded by Springsteen on 无毛视频淏lood Brothers,无毛视频� the title track is an uptempo anthem powered by Morello无毛视频檚 cutting guitar leads and a stirring horn section.
A promising start quickly turns seedy with 无毛视频淗arry无毛视频檚 Place.无毛视频�
Originally left off 无毛视频淭he Rising,无毛视频� this tale of mobsters and corruption is graphically dark and sleazy as the unmistakable saxophone playing of Clemons serenades the ominous lyrics. A healthy shot of spiritual redemption is witnessed on 无毛视频淗eaven无毛视频檚 Wall无毛视频� and 无毛视频淭his Is Your Sword.无毛视频�
Both arrangements seemed destined to be part of a Springsteen gospel album, only to be discarded for what would become 无毛视频淲recking Ball.无毛视频� 无毛视频淛ust Like Fire Would无毛视频� serves as an infectious and spirited cover with a charming vibe that is pure British pop.
A youthful and playful energy is captured on the Springsteen-penned love song 无毛视频淔rankie Fell in Love.无毛视频� The album无毛视频檚 signature moment finds Springsteen and Morello offering up a powerful one-two punch on the transformed 无毛视频淭he Ghost of Tom Joad.无毛视频� Morello无毛视频檚 presence adds a renewed fire and anger to the original acoustic version.
While 无毛视频淗igh Hopes无毛视频� certainly has its share of memorable moments, it无毛视频檚 an album for only hardcore Springsteen fans to fully savor. My favorite Springsteen album remains the gritty 无毛视频淒arkness on the Edge of Town,无毛视频� while the uninspired 无毛视频淗uman Touch无毛视频� serves as my least favorable.
无毛视频淗igh Hopes无毛视频� falls somewhere in the middle of these two releases.